Clutch



ug. ll, 1942.

CLUTCH Filed Feb. v 23, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 11, 1942 UNITED STATE s PATENT OFFICE i CLUTCH william c. Pfeiffer, Dayton, ohio, assignof torno Egry Register Company, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio.

ApplcationFebruary 23, 1939, Serial No. 258,015

lll-Claims. (Cl. 192- 28) ,but with the parts in the position oooupied'just prior to the completion of a single revolution of clutch, the mechanism of which causes Ythe clutch Y output shaft to rotate a predetermined amount and then halt. f

Another object is to provide a clutch having a continuously rotatable input shaft and an output shaft which is controlled by the clutch mecha nism so'as to rotate a predetermined amount,

and then come to a halt automatically when the clutch is actuated.

Another object is to provide .a clutch of the above-described type, wherein the clutch mechanisnil automatically returns the clutch-actuating member to its starting position during the operating cycle of the clutch.

Another object is to provide a clutch having a continuously rotatable input shaft and ratchet mechanism connecting the input shaft with the output shaft, the pawl of the ratchet mechanism being disconnectible. automatically vfrom the ratchet so as to halt the operation of the clutch output shaft when the latter has rotated a predetermined amount, such as for example, a single revolution.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the preferred embodiment of the clutch of this invention. Figure 2 is a vertical section along the line 2-2 in Figure 1, showing the input and output shafts'of the clutch, together with the clutchtripping arm. v A

Figure 3 is a vertical section through the clutch mechanism of Figure l, taken approxi'- mately alongthe line 3-3 thereof.

Figure 3a is a view taken substantially along the line 3a-3aof Figure 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is a right side elevation view ofthe y clutch as shown in Figures 2- and 3, with thev cover plate removed and with the parts in the resting or idling position, wherein the clutch output shaftis halted.

' Figure 5' is a view similar to Figure4 but with the parts in the position occupied at the instant that'the clutch-tripping arm is actuated.

Figure 6 is a vview similar to Figures 4 and 5,

but with the parts in the position wherein the clutch-tripping arm 'has been automatically returned toits original. position during the operating cycle of the clutch.

the output shaft of the clutch.

Figure 8 is an elevation of the worm and worm' the Figure 10 is a top plan View of the worm wheel ,1

ratchet' and cam shown in Figure 8, with the worm and spiral spring removed.4 Figure 11 is an enlarged perspective viewof the locking plate associated with the retaining plate of Figure 9 inside the clutch.

Figure 12 is a vertical sectional View showing the ratchet and pawl with the spring pressing mechanism for causing the` pawl to engage'the ratchet, l taken approximately along the line |2-l2 in Figure 10. v

Figure 12a is a view takenV substantially on the line I2a-l2a of Figure l2 and looking in the direction o f the arrows.

Figure 13 is am oblique section through the pivotal connection between the clutch cam, the

retaining plate and the locking plate, taken approximately along the line I3-l3 in Figure 4.

General arrangement In general, the` clutch of this invention consists of a casing having an input shaft driven by a motor, and an output shaft selectively connected byfthe clutch mechanism to the input shaft. A cam and ratchet mechanism within the clutch casing is controlled by a clutch-tripping arm in such a manner that when the clutchtripping arm is shifted to start an operating cycle of the .clutch,the output shaft is rotated by a predetermined amount, such as a complete revolution. Precisely at the end of this complete revolution the output shaft halts automatically. This is accomplished by the automatic disconnection of the ratchet mechanism within the clutch. At the same time, the clutch mechanism returns the clutch-tripping arm to its nonoperating position so that it isready to be shifted at any time in order to bring about another operating cycle of the clutch. Thus, while the motor shaft rotates Ythe input shaft continuously, the output shaft rotates only when the clutch-tripn ping-arm is shiftedand then only for a single Figure 7 is a view similar to Figures 4, 5 and 6, 55 complete revolution.

and input shaft 4 rotate continuously as long `as'the motor 3| is energized (Figurel).` When. this occurs the worm I2, mounted on the input shaft 4, causes the worm wheel I3 to rotate con'- tinuously. Normally, however, the clutch parts In thisA are in the resting position (Figure 4). positionthe clutch'output shaft 5 does not rotate because the contact portion20 of the pawl 2| is forcibly held outof' engagement with the steps e I8 on the ratchet -I1, thereby rendering the` ratchet I1 incapable of vdriving'the'output shaft through the pawl 2I mounted on the locking member 24. The reason that the pawl 2I is held out of engagement with the ratchet -wheel I1 arises from the Vfact that its leading edge en.

-gag'es the step 50 on the. edge of the aperture 48 Y in the locking plate 4B (Figures 11 and 14), the

its pivot pin `zi and swing the contact 'portion out ofthe path of the ratchet steps I 8 thereby disconnecting the clutch output shaft 5 from operativey engagementv with the .ratchet I1, and hence, `out of operative connection with the clutch input shaft 4r The motor 3|, clutch input shaft 4, wormv I2, ratchet wheel I3 and ratchet I1 now .rotate freely and idly without rotating the outca'used to execute acomplete. revolution, and then ha1t,.inY accordance with `the action of the pawl andratchet mechanism described above.

same step 5U being likewiseengaged by the lead- Y ing portion 5I of the lockigme'mber 24 (Figure 4)'. When the clutch-triping'arm 11 is lifted by the spring 19, this action rotates the shaftl 66 clockwise (Figure 4) and'swings the arm 65., link 6I and locking plate 461Lto the right, moving 1 the step 5I! thereof out. of engagement with the leading portions of the locking lmember 24 and pawl2I, respectively. The parts now occupy'the positions shown in Figure 5.

In many installations the spring 19 is omitted as it tends to urge the clutch-tripping arm in a `forciblyf'hel'd in its inoperative position bya latching device 11a, which is lautomatically re` leased by the mechanism of the manifolding It will be understood that it is desired to com-Y prehend within the invention such modificationsV as come within the scope of the claims and the invention.- l

Having thus fully described the'invention, what is. claimed `as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a clutch of the type adapted toA cause the output shaft to rotate exactlyonev complete revolution or multiples'thereof ywhen the input shaft is continuously rotated, an input shaft, an output shaft, 'a ratchet member, a pawl member selectively engageable with said ratchet', one `of said members being operatively connected with said input sh'aft andthe other memberwith said out- -put shaft, means for .engaging said pawl withrk said ratchet, means Vcomprising a pivotally mounted locking plate having an 'opening surrounding the ,output shaft, said opening promachine. Unless the clutch-tripping arm 11 'is I provided with such 'a 4latchin'g device the coil springn19 ispreferably omitted, because it would otherwise tend to cause the clutch to' repeat its cycleofl operation-indemnes after'the end of each Pledng Cycle of operation; 'i

`When A thestepjll ofthe locking plate 46'is y moved to the right, so as `to zreleasethe locking member 24 and pawl 2| from engagement with the step 50, the contact portion 20 of the pawl 2 I is pushed into the path of one ofthe steps I8 n the ratchet wheel I1, urged by the coil springy 35 andthe spiral spring 32. The rotating ratchet wheel I1 immediately. starts the clutch outputv shaft 5 in rotation by reason of its clutching engagementwith the pawl'portion'20, thereby ro-v tating the pawl' 2I.an d locking member 24into the positions shown in Figure v-6. Meanwhile, the leadingv portion' 5I of locking member 24 1n rotating, engages the left side of aperture 48 and therebyswings the locking plate 46jto the left, together with the vlink 6I and the arm $5. This rotatesf'the shaft 66 counter-clockwise and autovided withl a steplikev surface to engage the pawl for holding said pawlfiout of engagement with saidrat'chet when said locking plate is locked in vone position to vmaintain"-'saigiy output shaft at nect said inputr/shaftfwith-said o utputr shaft.

2- Infalcluto vv of.the{tyfpe` adapted to'cause the output shaft vtofrotate` exactly; one ,complete revolution"or`,multip1 es lthereofs'when" the' input shaft 50' put shaft; 'aratch'et member;

vided Ainteriorly with a step-like surface to enf' matically swings the clutch-tripping arm 11 downward intoits inoperativev resting position' (Figure 5). The clutch-tripping arm"11 must now be engaged' by' a'latchingA or detent device retaining plate 41 to the right, and the leading portions of the locking member 24 and pawl` 2I engage the step 50 on the locking plate 46. Thisv engagement causes the pawl 2l to`rock around is"continuouslyfrotated;Ianf' tqshaft, an outawlmex'nber selectively engageable with said ratchet, one of said members being operatively connected with said input shaft and the other member with said output shaft, means' for engaging said pawl with said i ratchet, meansl comprising a pivotally mounted locking plate having an opening surrounding th'e 'out.put shaft, said opening progage the'pawl for holding said pawl out of engagement withsaid ratchet when said. locking plate is locked inone positionv to maintain said output shaft at rest, said locking plate being shiftable to a different vposition to release saidy pawl for engagement with said ratchet to operaber, a pawl member selectively engageable with said ratchet, one of said members being operatively connected with' said input shaft and the y loperatively"connect said input shaft with said t output shaft, means comprising a tripping mechanism for.' moving said locking plate to a different position to release said pawl from engagement withsaid ratchet to cause said input shaft to rotate the` output shaft a predetermined amount, and means responsive to the rotation of said output shaft a predetermined amount for automatically shifting said locking plate into position to c bring about the disengagement of said pawl from said ratchet and 'stop the rotation of said output shaft when said output shaft has completed its cycle of rotation. l

4. A clutch of the .type adapted to cause the output shaft to rotate exactly one complete revolution or multiples thereof when the input shaft is continuously rotated comprising a casing enclosing one end: of any inputshaft driven by a prime mover, an output shaft selectively connected to said input shaft, a'pawl and ratchet mechanism associated with said input and output shafts for operatively connecting the .input shaft with the output shaft, means comprising a shiftable locking'member having an openingY surrounding the out-put shaft, said opening provided inter'iorly with a step-like surface to engage the pawlfor: maintaining the Npa'wl and ratchet mechanism'out of operative engagement with each other, means for urging said pawl into engagement with said ratchet, and means comprisving a trip arm mechanism'for shifting said lock-` ing member? to a different position to that iny which the pawl and ratchet mechanism are mainv tained out o f operative engagement with each other to cause engagement of saidv pawl with'y said ratchet to start an operating cycle wherein disconnection of the ratchet and pawl mechanism so Vas to halt the rotation of the output shaft -when the latter has rotated a predeterl'mined amount'.

6. A clutch comprising an input shaft, an output shaft, a ratchet wheel operatively connected to said input shaft, said output Vshaft being angularly disposed with respect to the input shaft, pawl means for selectively connecting said ratchet wheel to said output shaft to bring about the rotation of said output shaft, means comprising a swingable member having an opening surrounding said out-put shaft, said opening being provided interiorly with an abutment for coactng with said pawl' means to prevent the rotation of said output shaft, and cam means associated with said pawl responsive to the rotation of said output shaft for moving said swingable locking member vso as to cause said abutment to engage said pawl and thereby to bring about the disengagement of the pawl from the ratchet automatically when the output shaft carrying the pawl is rotated to a predetermined angular position.

7. A clutch comprising an input shaft, an output shaft,l said output shaft being disposed ninety degrees with respect to the input shaft, a ratchet wheel operatively connected to said input shaft, pawl means for selectively connecting said ratchet wheel to said output shaft to bring about the rotation of said output shaft, means comprising a swingable member having an opening surrounding the out-put shaft, said opening provided interiorly with an abutment for coactng with the output shaft is rotated one complete revolu- *Y tion or multiples thereof by said input shaft.

5. .A clutch comprising a casingv enclosing one end of an input shaft driven by a prime niver, an output shaftselectively connected to said inputl shaft,v said output shaft being angularly disposed with respect to the input shaft', a pawl and ratchet mechanism associated with said in- -are maintained out of operative engagement with each other to cause engagement of said pawl with said ratchet to start an operating cycle wherein the output shaft is rotated a predetermined amount by said input shaft, and cam actuated means operatively associated with said lockingv member for shifting said locking member to its original locking position to effect the automatic tion, and means comprising a latching device for retaining said swingable locking memberin its f locking position.

8. In a clutch of thel type adapted to cause the output shaft to rotate exactly one complete revo-' lution or multiples thereof when the inp'ut shaft is continuously rotated, a continuously rotatable input shaft, a ratchet, a member operatively connected thereto, an output shaft, means connected -to said output shaft and rotatable therewith, said means having mounted thereonl a pivoted pawl for coacting with said ratchet to drivingly connect said input shaft with said output shaft,

means forvurging said pawl into operative contactl with said ratchet,v means comprising a pivotally mounted shiftable locking member vassociated with said means on which said pawl is pivoted,-

said locking member surrounding the out-put shaft and having an engaging surface and being adapted to be moved to one position to bring about contact between said surface and the pawl to effect the disengagement of said pivoted pawl with said ratchet, means comprisingv a lever connected to said shiftable locking member for shifting said locking member to a different position to release said pawl whereby the same can-pivot into engagement with said ratchet and drivingly connect said input shaft with said output shaft, and means for returning said locking member to its initial -locking -position to bring about the rocking vof said pawl about its pivot and its disengagement from the ratchet to halt the rotation of the output shaft when said output shaft has beenrotatedone complete revolution or VmultiplesV thereof.

9. In a clutch of the type adapted to cause'- the output shaft to rotate exactly one complete revolution or multiples thereof when the input shaft is continuously rotated, a continuously'rotatable input shaft, an output shaft, means com'- prisinga ratchet and pawl mechanism for selectively operatively connecting? said input 'shaft with said output shaft, a swingable'cam locking plate member associated with said ratchet -and pawl mechanism for retaining saidA mechanism 1 in disengagement to prevent the rotation of fsaid 'output shaft, said swingable member having an opening surrounding the out-put shaft, said opening provided with an engaging surface to con-A tact said pawl, and being adapted to be moved Vfrom pawl-disengaging 'position to a different position for, unlocking said ratchet and pawl mechanismand enabling the engagement of the pawl and ratchet tordrivingly connect'said input with said pawl and ratchet mechanism for causing the engagement of said pawl with said raten-1y thereto, an output shaft, akpawl operatively con'- nected to vsaid output shaft and selectively engageable with lsaid ratchetwhel, a, cam member connected toisaid output fshaft, said pavvlrbeingv n pivotally mounted thereon, a' locking element movable into andV out of locking engagement with said cam member to maintain said pawl .outvr of operative engagement with said ratchetwheel, means for releasing said locking element from locking engagement with said cam member, and means responsive to a predetermined rotation of said output shaft for shifting saidiockmg eleshaft with said output shaft, means comprising f.

`a cam responsive to one complete revolution of said output shaft for returning said locking Y member to its initialposition for effecting the disengagement of said pawl from said ratchet 'ment into engagementY withsaid Vcam member and bringingV about the disengagement of -said pawl with sa-idxratchet wheel, said 1ocking` el'eY ment having a portion engageable with said pawl yfor selectively holding said pawl out of engagement with said ratchet wheel. s

' WILLIAM C; PFE'IFFER.

10; .In a clutch, a'continuously rotatable input' shaft, a ratchet wheel operatively connected 

